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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: so8bit on Fri, 06 April 2012, 02:29:49

Title: Choc mini vs CM Storm QFR
Post by: so8bit on Fri, 06 April 2012, 02:29:49
Hey all, just wondering what the pro's and con's about each are, other than the fact that it is much simpler to order a QFR. Does the choc mini use costar style stabilizers? I've seen the reviews and it says costar like. Also, do they make a choc mini in black with PBT keycaps or is it just the white one? Looking to find the best for the money. Thanks!
Title: Choc mini vs CM Storm QFR
Post by: fossala on Fri, 06 April 2012, 02:42:51
I would get the choc mini because I like compact keyboards and the cm storm is ugly. Saying this I have only ever heard good things about the cm storm.
Title: Choc mini vs CM Storm QFR
Post by: stingrae on Fri, 06 April 2012, 03:24:37
Both have their pros and cons...

Black choc minis come with awesome keycaps (im using as many of them as I can on my quick fire). Whites also come with good keycaps. The big disadvantage is the odd size space and ctrl keys so you will have to look carefully for keycap sets). I also think the fn layer can be iritating if you use insert, home or end a lot, I don't but my fn key is broken (Just haven't had time to try fix it).

Both boards have nice stabalisers, the noppoo has obnoxious symbols on keycaps and the cm storm has logos which are not that bad on the gunmetal ones. The build quallity of the quick fire is higher (just) being made by costar it is practically a Filco with a rubber finish. This isn't to say the mini isn't good it's just not as solid. The mini has some nice features like a switch lock and a numpad layer but both can be simulated (I believe).  I found the mini's small left shift iritating and while the f keys being closer is nice having them at a different angle is a bit off putting. I think overall I really like the mini but would have chosen a different switch (in retrospect). I think the mini has a neat feeling but it would have been better with more built in media functions (which the quickfire has).

In a nutshell if neither boards branding bothers you and you don't need a compact board (2 cherry keys width cba to get ruler). Then the quick fire is a really good buy but you will probably want some extra keycaps which may sway your decision...On the other hand it is the same casing size as a filco etc..

Good luck both are pretty damn nice boards though.
Title: Choc mini vs CM Storm QFR
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 06 April 2012, 07:00:08
Quote from: stingrae;568568
Both have their pros and cons...

Black choc minis come with awesome keycaps (im using as many of them as I can on my quick fire). Whites also come with good keycaps. The big disadvantage is the odd size space and ctrl keys so you will have to look carefully for keycap sets). I also think the fn layer can be iritating if you use insert, home or end a lot, I don't but my fn key is broken (Just haven't had time to try fix it).

Both boards have nice stabalisers, the noppoo has obnoxious symbols on keycaps and the cm storm has logos which are not that bad on the gunmetal ones. The build quallity of the quick fire is higher (just) being made by costar it is practically a Filco with a rubber finish. This isn't to say the mini isn't good it's just not as solid. The mini has some nice features like a switch lock and a numpad layer but both can be simulated (I believe).  I found the mini's small left shift iritating and while the f keys being closer is nice having them at a different angle is a bit off putting. I think overall I really like the mini but would have chosen a different switch (in retrospect). I think the mini has a neat feeling but it would have been better with more built in media functions (which the quickfire has).

In a nutshell if neither boards branding bothers you and you don't need a compact board (2 cherry keys width cba to get ruler). Then the quick fire is a really good buy but you will probably want some extra keycaps which may sway your decision...On the other hand it is the same casing size as a filco etc..

Good luck both are pretty damn nice boards though.


Minor correction,, the quickfire IS a filco with rubber coating.. people took them apart, same dealee'oh
Title: Choc mini vs CM Storm QFR
Post by: Mugen on Fri, 06 April 2012, 08:10:12
Storm rocks, i have reds. got it 10 days ago, i almost went to sleep with it the first night, put her on my girlfriends pillow and tucked her in. boy, was my girlfriend pissed.
Title: Choc mini vs CM Storm QFR
Post by: AKIMbO on Fri, 06 April 2012, 08:21:28
I wholly agree with what stingrae said.  I've owned both and I'd choose the CM Storm Quickfire hands down.  It's build quality is far superior.  The noppoo has better stock key caps, but not by much (since they stain rather easy).
Title: Choc mini vs CM Storm QFR
Post by: stingrae on Fri, 06 April 2012, 08:45:08
Quote from: tp4tissue;568603
Minor correction,, the quickfire IS a filco with rubber coating.. people took them apart, same dealee'oh


I know but tech you have to say it's a Costar board since diatec doesn't have anything to do with CM Storm.

@Mugen, I think I slept besides mine the first night too =(...then again I do that with most new things that are awesome.
Title: Choc mini vs CM Storm QFR
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 06 April 2012, 10:20:43
Quote from: stingrae;568701
I know but tech you have to say it's a Costar board since diatec doesn't have anything to do with CM Storm.

@Mugen, I think I slept besides mine the first night too =(...then again I do that with most new things that are awesome.

I hate it when people compare apples to oranges,,,  what I hate EVEN MORE, is when people compare apples to apples, and decide that one is an orange.

filco=diatec=costar=quickfire


You people are disgusting putting a keyboard in your bed... Unless of course you're not at all adventurous in bed.... LOLOL
Title: Choc mini vs CM Storm QFR
Post by: audioave10 on Fri, 06 April 2012, 12:42:32
If anyone is interested in the Quickfire...NewEgg has 15% off all keyboards with promo code EMCNFND98 for the weekend.